Women in India

 "यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता" - Vedas

Meaning:  God resides, where women are worshipped

It is the general attitude of the indian society towards women. But, since vedas (which witnessed Gargi, Lopamudra, Maitreyi, Gosha and other rishikas), the situation of women has been deteriorating in India. 

In order to understand the situation of women, lets see different aspects such as Gender, Patriarchy, Reasons for Patriarchy, Patriarchy Vis-a-Vis Work, Violence against women, e.t.c.,

Gender: It is a neutral concept, where different roles are designated for both male and female based on the culture of particular society.  Due to this phenomenon, Either male or Female has to follow that identities generated by the culture of that society. If not, there would be coercive social controls like ridicule, humour, violence, social boycotting, e.t.c.,

Lets see how gender is impacting the situation of women in India:-

Sexual Division of Labour:- Though this sexual division of labour was useful for the neolithic man during hunting & gathering stage, Now, it outlived its utility. Even though, wife is educated enough, husband and In-Laws are not allowing the women to work and try to socialise her for domestic roles and make her work for caring of children and elders and cooking and maintenance of house. 

This sexual division of labour varies from caste to caste, religion to religion, class to class e.t.c., For example, if a women comes from high caste, she has to stay at home and take care of household as aforesaid and has to protect the familial pride. But in case of the lower caste and daily wage earning family, she has to go to either farm work or domestic servant or any other chores.

Dual Burden:-  Even though, a woman is working for 8-10 hours a day, she has to do her duty at house too. She has to take up utensils and cook food and maintain the house clean. It is causing heavy burden on women. There are many incidents , where husband doesnt share any household activities, even though she works.

Pink Colored Jobs:-  With the perception of gender, women are cornered to certain types of posts and it is like informal reservation of certain employment to women. For example: Nursing industry in hospital, Primary Teachers, Receptionists and other jobs, where one can find the abundance of the women.

Glass Ceiling Effect:- It is the best classical example of how women is cornered based on her gender. Even though, a women is competent enough, based on gender perspective, women are looked upon as emotional, irrational and thinks they unable to take decisions as their male counterparts. Due to this gender stereotyping phenomenon in the minds of the corporations and companies, Many women don't climb the ladder because of the transparent ceiling made by gender stereotyping. For example, Supreme Court of India, which has only eight judges in 72 years of independence.  Another examples is barring of entry of women in territorial army(TA) in India. 

Violence Against Women:- With gender stereotyping, people tend to think, Men think women are meek, week, submissive and docile. So, based on these perceptions, men justifying themselves in perpetuating the violence on women. Example:- Muzaffarpur Shelter home rape cases, where nearly 40 women are raped and one is murdered and buried alive. 

These are some of the consequences of gender stereotyping. there are many example and cases of gender stereotyping. 

What are factors still perpetuating the gender stereotyping in India? :-

Patriarchy, Caste Norms, Religious Norms, Symbolism, Media, Knowledge System are some of the factors responsible for perpetuating the gender stereotyping. 

Caste Norms:- In India, there are more than 3,000 castes/ Jatis. Each caste has different norms and different stereotyping norms for the women. As we discussed above, it can be easily differentiated how the role of kshatriya women and role of shudra women are emanating from the gender stereotyping.

Caste is not only differentiating the gender roles, it is also perpetuating the violence against the women. Higher caste Men take it as the license to outrage the modesty of women or rape a women. The classic example is Poolan Devi, who is raped by several high caste people in the village. 

It is okay to kill woman and choice of her mate for upholding the purity of caste based on diktaks of Khap Panchayats. Even though Supreme Court barred khap panchayats in giving such verdicts in Arumugam Sevai Case and Shakti Vahini Case, there are many incidents of killing of women and her mate can be seen in India. The main reason for this situation is entrenched caste norms and its influence on the psychic of people.

Media:- Media plays important role in creating the symbolism of women. It perpetuates the exting the knowledge system of society.  According to manu smriti, there is dual duties of women -- one, Submissive Wife and second, Devoted Mother. this knowledge system is almost common in all religions and castes in India. Media plays influential in perpetuating this role. For example, In movies, a women is portrayed as the Goddess, who sacrifice everything in order to uphold these two duties. Even in advertisements too, it is women washing clothes and utensils with washing SOAP and DETERGENT POWDER but not MEN. Why? 

Apart from Goddess symbolism, Media also portrays women as pleasure symbol. For example, Many movies that put compulsory Item Songs in the middle of movie irrespective of Script because, it is important for them to portray woman as sexual symbol for their monetary margins. 

In this way, media is portraying women as both goddess and sexual symbol. Thats why, conference of national commission of women says that if women accepts their identity as the goddess, they tend to sacrifice everything, even though such sacrifice is dehumanizing. Thats why, It pleaded women to think themselves as women and human but not as Goddess. 

Patriarchy:- Patri, Male + Archy, Rule. It is rule by male through lineage or clan system in the caste. 

90% of Caste, which is unique to India and ubiquitously present, follows Patriarchy. Even though There is matriarchy among the Khasis, Jaintia and Nairs and other tribes and castes, the inheritance alone follows the Matrilineage and the rest authority lies in the Males of those families. 

Lets See, how patriarchy works with women:- 

At Family Level :- Sexual division of Labour as we discussed above, Socialisation for domestic works, e.t.c., Patriarchy at family level is also causing the health conditions like Anaemia, e.t.c., In India, nearly 51% women are anaemic as per global nutrition report. Why? The reason lies in patriarchy, according to which, women are generally tend to eat at last after completion of In-Laws, Husband and Children. Sometimes, they are left with no food and sleep with empty stomach. 

At family Level, due to the gender stereotyping. there is sexual selection at birth. 

" Nearly half a billion murders are committed since independence in the name of the selection. Just, 3,000 cases are filed Sofar. " -- Supreme Court Observation. 

Due to this sex selection at birth there are only 911 female for 1000 males at the age group of 0-6 years as per 2011 census. Some district like Jhajjar has as low as 700 female against 1000 male in the same age group. 

Patriarchy At Farming and Informal Sector:- 

At farming level, There is substantial rise in women participation.  Does it Signifies WOMEN EMPOWERMENT?  Nope. It is not. Because of reduction in the farm employment, It is easy to employe the more women because, they have low education, low skill, low bargaining power. SO, they can be paid low and without proper working conditions. 

The Irony is even though 44% of Farm sector employment comes from the Women, they holds less than 9% ownership of the land. 

It is same case with Informal Sector, where there is inequality in remuneration, lack of proper working conditions, lack of any social security and sometimes, there is lack of physical security. Due to high depravation conditions of women, they are sometimes lured or forced for sexual gratification of male ownership. 

Patriarchy at Industrial Sector:- It is the sector, where one can easily observe the lowest level of women participation. Even at the technological advancements, it is believed that women dont have physical strength to carryout the mechanical work. 

Patriarchy at Service Sector:- Even though service sector hold one of the largest female presence, They are many issues like glass ceiling effect, pink coloured jobs, sexual harassment, e.t.c., 

These are some of the manifestation of the patriarchy at different sectors. Now, lets see how how these issues culminating and affecting the women employment and empowerment. 

Before looking at them, Lets see GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT prepared by World Economic Forum(WEF), according to which india ranks in 108 out of 144 countries. This report is prepared based on four important factors such as Health, Economic Participation,  Education and Political Participation. 

Lets look into employment and political sectors, which are main pillars for the women empowerment.

Employment -- According to National Sample Survey(NSS), 2016 survey there is decline in the number of women employed from 25.9% to 21.6%. When GDP is growing at on average 7% per annum, the proportion of women employed has been declining. 

It is because of several factors such as: Familial Responsibility, Child Caring and Rearing, Low or inadequate skill, Insensitive In-Laws and Husband towards the working women, Dual burden of both Office and House, Lack of proper physical infrastructure is threatening the security of women at public places, Large distance between house and employment, Lack entrepreneur atmosphere for women, Low lendings for women by banks, Sexual harassment at work place, e.t.c., 
For example, Cellular companie like IDEA, Vodafone, Airtel and others in Andhra Pradesh doesnt open a Post-Paid account for unemployed Housewives. 

In this atmosphere, it is difficult for any women to join employment, especially in the country, where unemployment rate and competition is raising. 

Political Participation -- Political participation is important tool in making the women empowered because, it creates the atmosphere of women led policies and growth. But India, even after 72 years of Independence, couldnt witness 15% representation in either parliament or state legislature. What irony is Some states like Nagaland and Mizoram doesnt even have single Women MLA. 

Inorder to fix the gap, Reservation for women in Parliament and State legislature is proposed for fixed time limit. But, Nothing tangible results are seen sofar. 

For women empowerment, one-third reservation for women is made mandatory at local bodies level. It became successful in harnessing the voice of women at local level but it is also largely plagued by many issues like Panchayat Pati Syndrome(where husband make her wife to contest as proxy and he plays major role), Insubordination of many officers and local body officials to demands of women leaders and other issues. 

Thats why, there is an urgent need to make the 50% reservation for women at local bodies Level for harnessing and garnering more voice of the women and for their empowerment in developmental direction. 

Then, What is empowerment?:-

According to world bank, Women Empowerment is based on the following basic pillars: Sense of Self Worth, Accessibility to Resources, Ability to control one's own life, Autonomy in decision making, Ability to give the direction to social change in society.  If these five criteria is satisfied, women is said to be empowered. 

By this definition, India is far behind in any of the basic pillar. Thats why, India shall strive hard for achieving the women empowerment through various govt, national, international, Civil Society, NGO and others interventions. And mainly, there shall be change in the perspective of the Gender Stereotyping while judging the women. 

The Main Limitation for achieving the Women Empowerment is Violence, which is mainly manifested against women in india in the following ways: i. Sexual Harassment at Public Space, ii. Sexual Harassment at working place, iii. Domestic Violence, iv. Dowry Harassment. 

Sexual Harassment of Women at Public Places:- Even though there are many provisions such as Section 375, 376, 302, 304B and many other provisions in IPC, recent amendment to criminal law, 2013 provides the special punishments for voyeurism, acid attacks, stalking and other many other crimes against women, Still women are facing many crimes in the form of rape, human trafficking, forced prostitution many other violences due to several factors such as -- Gender stereotyping and symbolising women as sexual pleasure, Breakdown of family system and levels of morality in society, Inadequate Social and Physical security for women like even though criminal law prescribes the special fast track courts to deal with rape cases, little has been achieved in that direction, inadequate police patrolling at sensitive areas, Insensitivity of Police and Judicial officials and many other reasons. 

Sexual Harassment at Workplace:- On the guidelines of the Vishaka Judgement of Supreme Court, Govt has created Sexual harassment at workplace(Prevention)Act, 2013 with stringent provisions, according to which, a company shall constitute Internal Complaints Committee(ICC), having 50% women members. ICC shall give its decision within 90 days of time. The onus of proving innocence lies on accused. Even though these provisions looks sufficient, in reality there is under reporting of the cases due to the fear of suffering from consequence, fear of lose of job, e.t.c., According to an Independent survey, nearly 40% of women, who faces these type of problems doesn't report at all. 

One of the main criticism of this law is its application in case of Informal Sector. Incase of Informal sector, it is Local Complaints Committee(LCC), headed by District Magistrate. The onus of constituting LCC having 50% female membership lies with D.M. In many cases, D.Ms don't constitute the LCC. 

Domestic Violence:-

According to NCRB data, nearly 40% of violence against the women is committed by either husband or relatives at house. Thatswhy, Govt enacted Domestic Violence(Prohibition) Act, 2013, which provides the Right to Maintenance, Right to Protection, Right to Secure Housing and Right to child custody. Recent amendment says a case against women can also be filed in case of her involvement in either physical or emotional or verbal or financial or any other means of harassment.  Section 498A of IPC too deals with domestic violence, especially in case of dowry. Even though govt provides these provisions, Women is continuously facing the violence due to several factors such as Dowry, Changing role of women and voice of empowerment in globalised era, Patriarchal attitude, Gender stereotyping e.t.c.,

According National Family Health Survey(NFHS)-III, 69% of women respondents says violence is normal. This trend shows the internalisation of violence due to entrenched patriarchal mindset and gender stereotyping roles. 

Dowry is one of the prime reason for the violence against woman. Under reportage, fear of losing family pride at society, lack of evidences in many cases, Insensitivity of police and judicial official and some other related factors are prime reasons for the increasing levels of dowry menace in the country. In order to deal with dowry related cases, Section 304B, Section 406, Section 498 A of IPC are constituted. But the dowry related cases continue to unabated due to patriarchal attitude of caste based society, which itself is perpetuating the Dowry.

In this way, a woman in India is facing a Multi-Dimensional Problems, which is impacting the women at physical, mental, financial, social and political levels. These impediments are becoming the stumbling blocks in the empowerment of woman India. According to mckinsey global institute, If gender inequality is reduced and optimum efficiency in the participation of women is achieved, India can increase its GDP by nearly 60%.  Thats why, i can say Women empowerment is not only economic necessity but an urgent Social Need for overall growth of country as well as improvement in moral consciousness of the society. 

Preamble is the philosophical key to the Constitution. Examine?

Preamble of Indian Constitution:-

We, the people of india sovereignly resolved to constitute india into sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and to secure all its citizens.

Justice Social, Economical and Political

Liberty of though, belief, faith, expression and worship

Equality of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all

Fraternity assuring the dignity of individual and unity and integrity of the nation

In our constituent assembly this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949 do here by adopt enact and give ourselves this constitution.

Preamble is philosophical key to constitution. It contains very broad and philosophical terms like socialism,  Secularism, Liberty and others, which represents entire constitutional provisions of India. These provisions can be explained in the following way.

Sovereignty:-

India can make or unmake its own decisions without interference of the external force. thatswhy, we are sovereign. According to the constitution, The Sovereignty comes from the two phrases in the preamble. “ We the people of India” and “ Adopt, enact and Give ourselves this constitution”.  this shows popular sovereignty, which is derived from the people. 

Unlike other federal countries, No state has individual sovereignty(from article 1,2,3,4). India has collective consciousness in exercising the sovereignty, which can also be seen from the citizenship chapter of the indian constitution, which says, India, whole have the single citizenship.

Socialist:-

If Production of means and resources are placed in public hands instead of private individuals then that is called socialism. Here Public hand means State, which represents the will and wishes of the people.

Objectives of the socialisms are Elimination of economic inequality, and inequality in Status, Opportunity and standard of living, which can be cited in the directive principles of state policy(quote articles), Fundamental rights(article 16)

Secularism:-

Unlike western philosophy, Secularism in India is not complete separation of state from religion or Dharm Nirpeksh. It is being equidistant to all religions Sarva Dharma Sambhava. In this context, one can say state has no religion. Secularism gives the freedom of religion and affirms the equality which can be observed in article 25-28 and 44 of indian constitution and welfare of all people irrespective of their creed, caste or religion.

Secularism reaffirms the “Equality of the status and of opportunity” and  “fraternity assuring the dignity of individual and unity and integrity of nation”.

“Secular State protect all religions, doesnt favour any religion at the expense of another and doesnt proclaim any religion as the state religion” - Jawaharlal Nehru.

Characteristics of Secular State:-

1. State Doesnt allow all sort of religious dominations such as Inter religious and intra religious domination
2. State promotes the freedom that is freedom of conscience, to profess, practice and propagate the religion.
3. State promotes the equality within and between the religions.
4. State completely against the majority communalism.

Democratic:-

Democracy, where the state is run by representatives, who are elected by the sovereign people. In india, people enjoys the Universal Adult Franchise, which emanates from right to vote, article 326.

Republic:-

In Republic, there is no hereditary monarchy as the head of the state. In India Head of the State is elected by the people of the country and all the public offices also thrown out to the public.

Justice :- 

Justice is fair and moral treatment of all in formulating and implementing the law. Justice cannot be restricted to courts, where laws are being interpreted. Justice encompasses the social, economical and political elements. 

In social Justice, Whole Society shall progress without a single section is falling behind and being exploited. 

In economic Justice, When fruits of the growth are not reaching the some sections of the society, then Economic Justice kicks in Redistribution of the fruits of economy for the progress and prosperity of whole sections.

In Political Justice, every adult person has the right to vote(article 326) and has the right to contest for the public offices.

Liberty:- 

of though, belief, faith , expression and worship.

article 19, 20, 21 & 22 and many other articles protect and preserves the individual Liberty.

Equality:- 

of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all.

article 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are some of the provisions that promotes and ensures the equality between all citizens and reduces the inequality between them.

Fraternity:-

Increases the brotherhood and unity and integrity of the nation, which are part of nation building process.


In this way, we can say, provisions of preamble are very broad and deep in explaining the nature of indian constitution.

Recognition of tribal rights over non-timber forest products (NTFPs) would accelerate empowerment of the poor and marginalised. Comment.

Forest rights act , 2006 brought following rights tribal, who are historically being exploited and excluded from their home lands:

Rights over forest land for habitation and cultivation, 
Right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce, 
Right to govern and manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally conserving for sustainable use.

Potential:-

* 275 million people depend on NTFPs with a turnover of at least Rs 6,000 crore per annum. There is a strong potential to scale up NTFP collection and processing.

* A source of development and poverty alleviation.

* Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, where community rights under FRA have been implemented at scale, with almost 5.86 lakh hectares of forests being transferred to the jurisdiction of gram sabhas. 

* Information from 247 villages from this region reveals how ownership over minor forest produce, specially tendu leaves and bamboo, has improved the economic condition of forest dwellers. These villages earned a total of nearly Rs 35 crore in 2017 by selling NTFPs.

* Due to the increased income, socio-economic status has increased, which in-turned has reduced migration and increased reverse-migration, which is good sign incase of tribals, who are in general suffered from human trafficking, exploitation, oppression, forced labour and other forms of exploitation due to migration. 

* The recognition of rights over forests and forest products has transferred the decision-making power to communities to decide when, where, how and to whom to sell their non-timber forest products and how to govern their forests. 

* The FRA also fosters democratic control over customary forests by forest-dependent communities, ensuring more effective, sustainable and people-oriented forest conservation, management and restoration. For instance, in the aforementioned districts in the Vidarbha region, the recognition of community rights over forest resources and land has led to dramatic reduction in incidence of forest fires. The forest cover regeneration has improved and indiscriminate felling and diversion of forests has been contested.

* A report of the Rights and Resources Initiative (2015) suggests that if the FRA is implemented properly, it could lead to the recognition of the rights of at least 150 million forest-dwelling people over 40 million hectares of forestland in more than 1,70,000 villages. The economic impact of this could be huge in rural areas as NTFPs constitute about 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the annual income of forest dwellers. It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for tribal groups such as hunter-gatherers, and the landless. Given that most of the NTFPs are collected, used and sold by women, it would also lead to financial and social empowerment for millions of women.

In this way, Forest Rights become boon for the socio-economic development of Tribal People and also ensures the Protection and sustainable growth of forest land in India.

Child Labour in India

According Official Estimates, nearly 10-17 million children are engaged in some or other forms of labour in India and living outside their childhood. 

Child labour is a violation of fundamental human rights and has been shown to hinder children’s development, potentially leading to lifelong physical or psychological damage. Evidence points to a strong link between household poverty and child labour, and child labour perpetuates poverty across generations by keeping the children of the poor out of school and limiting their prospects for upward social mobility. This lowering of human capital has been linked to slow economic growth and social development. An ILO study has shown that eliminating child labour in transition and developing economies could generate economic benefits nearly seven times greater than the costs, mostly associated with investment in better schooling and social services.

Legal Protections:-

Child Labour( Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016

Constitutional Protection:-

Article 21— No person shall be deprived of his life and liberty except procedure established law. 

Article 21A — Right to education of children in age of 6-14 age

Article 24 — Prohibition of employment of children in factories, mines and hazardous activities. 

Supreme Court Judgement:-

M.C.Mehta Vs State of T.N:

People’s Union for democratic Rights Vs Union of India:

In both cases, S.C prohibited the Child Labour

International Laws:-

SDG 8 — Eradication of child Labour

UNICEF — UN Children’s Fund

ILO:- Minimum Age Convention, 1973; Worst form of child labour convention, 1999

Q) Sacred complex as a dimension of Indian civilization (2015 Mains)

Def: Sacred Complex is happy synthesis of sacred geography, sacred specialist and sacred performance of hindu place of pilgrimage reflecting the compromise, continuity & combination between great and little tradition.

Sacred Complex consists of three elements:

1. Sacred Specialist
2. Sacred Performance and 
3. Sacred Geography

Sacred specialist:-

• Maintain distinct lifestyle
• transmit various elements to rural population while officiating different rituals and practicing certain performances. 
• Play important role in popularising certain texts and demeaning certain others. —> Way of modification of texts —> Changes in Society

According to L.P.Vidyarthi, Sacred Specialists are three types:

• Sanskritic Priests
• Feudalistic Priest and 
• Local Priests 

Sanskritic: Their life style is highly ritualised, orthodox and rigid to customs and rituals. 

Feudalistic: Over the period of time, these position of sanskritised priests become hereditary and gets the huge income. At that incident, These priests appoint number of disciples and continue sacred performances and get the high fees. They come out and attend sacred performances, which are important in nature. 

Local: For Folk people, who are not knowledgable  enough go to local Priests. 

Sacred Geography:- 

Sacred Centre is the place of sanctum Sanctorum, where chief deity resides, around which other deities representing folk/little traditions. For example, In Gaya Sacred Geography, there are number of other temples are found by L.P.Vidyarthi.

In the premise of Great Tradition, one ca observe Little traditional continuity in term of plants, animals and snake worship. For example— In Nepal- Janakpur, there is a temple of Rama but within the same temple complex another temple of Rajarajeswar is present where animal sacrifices are undertaken. 

Sacred Performances:- It Includes, Aarati, havan, Japam, Yagna, Recitation, e.t.c., It also includes flora worship, meditation, e.t.c., Apart from these great traditions, Little traditions of folk songs, Bajana, Tallam, e.t.c., are also part of sacred Performances. 

According to SARASWATI[ Holy circuit of Nimsar(1965), The temple Organisation in Goa(1962), Kashi: Myth and relaity of classical cultural tradition], Concept of Sacred is essentially based on man;s desire to communicate with Spiritual World usually inorder to attain Moksha. In significant study of kashi, sarawsati has concluded that although sacred complex of kashi may appear as predominantly a bramhin complex, it is indeed a complex of a much bigger civilisation, which makes the bramhanic temple of viswesra and non-bramhanic shrine of AGIYABEER to co-exist, the textually learned bramhanic karmakandi and illiterate untouchable DOMTO conduct sacred performances together and a Nashik Bramhin touch the feet of an AWADHOOT, who eats carcasses.  This king of arrangement at sacred place of pilgrimage demonstrates and reminds the pilgrimage coming from different cultural traditions again and again that they must not be too egoistic in upholding their own traditions as their superior most. 

In this way we can say, Sacred Complex is a dimension of Indian Civilisation, which is too diverse and have so many traditions and rituals continued from generations to generations. 

2013-17 world history previous paper questions

2013:-

1. “‘Latecomer’ Industrial Revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what West had experienced.” Analyze. (200 words) 
2. ‘’Africa was chopped into States artificially created by accidents of European competition.” Analyze. (200 words) 
3. ‘’American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism.” Substantiate. (200 words) 
4. What policy instruments were deployed to contain the Great Economic Depression? (200 words) 

2014:-

1. What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India? 10 
2. What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power? 10 
3. The New Economic Policy-1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate. 10  

2015:-

1. Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present? 2015 
2. To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically 

2016:-

1. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western -educated Africans. Examine.

2017:-

1. What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula?  (150 words)

Contributions of Jainism and Buddhism to Indian Society

These are some of the common contribution of Jainism and Buddhism. Apart from these,

National Integration:- In integrating nation into one by promoting social harmony and peace, Buddhism played huge  during mauryan period. 

Modern India:- Buddhism and Jainism majorily contribute their doctrine of ahimsa in formulating the foreign policy of India. For example, Panchasheel and Non-Alignment. 

Apart from these, important symbols became national symbols of India. For example, Ashoka Chakra in National Flag and Saranth Stupa became national emblem of india.